Saab 93
| Industry | Automotive |
|---|---|
| Founded | April 1, 1945 |
| Headquarters | Sweden |
| Products | Automobiles |
The Saab 93 (pronounced ninety-three) represents the second automobile produced by the Swedish manufacturer Saab Automobile. Designed by Sixten Sason, this model was unveiled on December 1, 1955. It was equipped with a longitudinally mounted three-cylinder, 748 cc Saab two-stroke engine delivering 33 hp (25 kW). The transmission consisted of three speeds, with the first gear lacking synchronization. To address oil starvation issues during engine braking inherent to two-stroke engines, a freewheel mechanism was incorporated. In 1957, optional two-point seatbelts became available. The Saab 93 marked the company's initial venture into export markets, predominantly shipping to the United States. Additional options included a Saxomat automatic clutch and a large fabric sunroof known as a cabrio coach.
The 93B version debuted on September 2, 1957, featuring a transition from the original two-piece windshield to a single-piece design.
In motorsport achievements, Erik Carlsson secured victory at the Finland Rally in 1957 driving a Saab 93 and triumphed again at the Swedish Rally in 1959 with the same model. Despite these successes, Saab was not the first Swedish brand to win the Swedish Rally; their domestic competitor, Volvo, had claimed back-to-back wins in 1957 and 1958 with the PV544.
Late in 1959, the 93F was launched, incorporating front-hinged doors sourced from the Saab GT750. Production of the Saab 93 concluded in 1960. Although replaced by the Saab 96, both models were available concurrently for part of that year. Overall production reached a total of 52,731 units.
The Saab Sonett I roadster shared numerous components with the Saab 93.
1956
- Wiesbaden Rallye, Germany (June 24, 1956)
- Victory achieved by Bengt Jonsson alongside Kjell Persson
- Rally Viking, Norway
- Champion: Carl-Magnus Skogh
- Runner-up: Erik Carlsson
- Fourth place: Ivar Andersson
- Rikspokalen, Sweden
- Winner: Erik Carlsson
- Scandiatrofén, Sweden
- Joint winners: Erik Carlsson and Carl-Magnus Skogh
- Tour d'Europe Continental
- Second place team: Rolf Mellde and Sverker Benson
- Tulpen Rally, The Netherlands
- Second place: Sture Nottorp and Charlie Lohmander
- Third place: Gunnar Bengtsson and Sven Zetterberg
- Seventh position: Bengt Jonsson and Sölve Relve
1957
- Mille Miglia, Turismo Preparato 750 cc category, Italy
- First place secured by Charlie Lohmander and Harald Kronegård
- GAMR - Great American Mountain Rallye, United States
- Overall winners: Bob Wehman and Louis Braun, US
- Awarded Best marque team title
- Sixth place finishers: Rolf Mellde and Morrow Mushkin
- Seventeenth place finishers: Jerry Jankowitz and Doris Jankowitz
- 1000 Lakes Rally, Finland
- Champion: Erik Carlsson
- Best marque team title earned by Erik Carlsson, Carl Otto Bremer, and Harald Kronegård
- Finnish champion crowned as Carl Otto Bremer
- Rallye Adriatique, Yugoslavia
- Winner: R M Hopfen
- Lime Rock Rally, United States
- First place achieved by Bob Wehman
- Rikspokalen, Sweden
- Victor: Carl-Magnus Skogh
- Finnish Snow Rallye, Finland
- Second place awarded to Erik Carlsson
- Acropolis Rally Greece
- Runner-up position held by Henri Blanchoud
- Rallye Atlas-Oasis, Morocco
- Second place team: Harald Kronegård and Leonce Beysson
1959
- 24 Hours of Le Mans
- Secured second in class and twelfth overall
1960
- Finnish Snow Rallye, Finland
- First place winner: Carl Otto Bremer
2008
- 24 Hours Le Mans Classic, adjusted results
- Class winner and second overall
2010
- Le Mans Classic, adjusted results
- Fifth position finish
